Psychiatry: Diagnosis, Treatment and Human Experience
This Psychiatry hub gathers Andrew T. Austin’s writings on diagnosis, psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, suicide, drugs, ECT, grief, body image, care systems and the politics of psychiatric practice.
R. D. Laing: Books, Concepts and History
Explore Laing’s work through guides to his books, key concepts, relationships and therapeutic history, with quotations, source references and illustrations.
- R. D. Laing: His Work, Concepts and Legacy Browse the complete collection by book, concept, relationship or historical setting.
- Reading R. D. Laing A route through the books, with edition details and guidance on using the sources.
Schizophrenia & Psychosis
- Schizophrenia An overview of presentations and common misunderstandings.
- Paranoid Schizophrenia Focusing on persecutory themes and suspicion.
- Catatonic Schizophrenia Examining movement changes and clinical challenges.
- Disorganised Schizophrenia Disorganisation of thought, affect, and behaviour.
- NLP Time Coding Linking NLP models of time with schizophrenic experience.
- Problematic Communications Breakdown of clarity and the "Double Bind" in complex systems.
Depression, Grief & Body Image
- Manic Depression (Bipolar) Cycling mood and the experience of mania.
- Hierarchy of Grief How some losses are socially "ranked" as more legitimate.
- Body Dysmorphia Distorted image, obsessional focus, and shame.
- The Question of "How?" Reflection on the nature of distress and understanding.
Drugs & Biological Psychiatry
- The Serotonin Hypothesis Unpacking the "chemical imbalance" narrative.
- ECT / Electroshock How ECT is carried out and its clinical impact.
- ECT: Old and New Info Revisiting electroshock in light of new data.
- History of Lobotomy Psychosurgery, its rise, fall, and ethical legacy.
Institutional & Political Critique
- Psychiatry Overview Critique of the psychiatric enterprise.
- Psychiatry Rant I Commentary on psychiatric practice and culture.
- Care Worker Syndromes How caregivers become distorted by the system.
- The House on the Hill Reflections on institutional life and its impact.